PONTIAC — Bloomington senior Chris Payton had tears in his eyes after the game as he pointed to the “GP” patch on his jersey.
“I’m doing everything for [Greg Patton], a coach we lost in the summer,” Payton said. “I’m just trying to pull myself together. I’m going to go to the locker room and cry right now. Winning this for him means everything in the world to me.”
Greg Patton, 63, died unexpectedly in August. He was a teacher and coach in Bloomington.
Payton represented him well in the Pontiac Holiday Tournament quarterfinals on Friday. He dominated the overtime session against Benet with six points and a crucial blocked shot.
The Purple Raiders beat the Redwings 60-59 and will face the Bloom-Oak Park winner in the semifinals on Saturday.
“I knew I had to take over,” Payton said. “This is the final run, my last Pontiac. You know what you have to do, you know there is no room for error. Even when you are tired you have to push through the pain.”
Payton had 13 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Senior Caleb Donaldson led Bloomington with 21 points. He made the game-winning basket and threw down two eye-opening dunks in the second half.
Bloomington celebrates after wining in overtime against Benet, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Bloomington rushes the court after wining in overtime against Benet, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Benet coach Gene Heidkamp gets his team to step up the defense, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Benet’s Kendrick Tchoua (25) gets right in to the basket, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Benet’s Bennett Hickey (2) works for a two points against Bloomington, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Benet’s Will Engles (23) is upset after a charge call against Bloomington, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Benet’s Kendrick Tchoua (25) makes an easy lay up over Bloomington, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Benet’s Kendrick Tchoua (25) goes around Benet’s Garrett Hooker (25), Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Bloomington’s Chris Payton (3) boxes out Benet’s Kendrick Tchoua (25), Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Bloomington’s Chris Payton (3) is shocked after a call, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Benet’s Colin Crothers (55) (55) puts the ball back in, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Benet’s Kendrick Tchoua (25) goes down the baseline against Bloomington, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Benet’s Kendrick Tchoua (25) holds Bloomington’s Griffin Moore (13) going for a rebound, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Benet’s bench cheers after taking the lead over Bloomington, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Benet’s Will Engles (23) and Benet’s Kendrick Tchoua (25) race to a rebound, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Bloomington coach Michael Mosley pushes the offense in the first half, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Bloomington’s Chris Payton (3) gets to a rebound in the second half of play, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Bloomington’s Chris Payton (3) is hit by Benet’s Colin Crothers (55) (55) going to the basket, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Bloomington’s Chris Payton (3) manuevers between Benet’s Colin Crothers (55) and Benet’s Will Engles (23), Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Bloomington’s Chris Payton (3) takes off to the basket, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Bloomington’s Caleb Donaldson (2) makes an easy basket, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Benet’s Will Engles (23) (23) and Benet’s Colin Crothers (55) colide after trying to get a rebound, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Bloomington’s Chris Payton (3) celebrates after Benet’s turnover, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Bloomington’s Chris Payton (3) stalls the ball against Benet, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Bloomington’s Caleb Donaldson (2) drives in the lane for two, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Bloomington’s Chris Payton (3) puts up a shot over Benet’s Kendrick Tchoua (25), Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Bloomington’s Chris Payton (3) gets a steal and push the ball down court against Benet, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Donzell Johnson scored 11 for Bloomington and Nate Duckworth added 10.
Benet’s Kendrick Tchoua made one of two free throws with 1:24 left in regulation to tie the game. He finished with 22 points and nine rebounds. He was 12 for 23 from the free-throw line.
Colin Crothers and Liam Tomshack each scored 12 for the Redwings (12-2).
